Bag clamping device



y 4, 1943- P. HANNAH 2,318,156

BAG CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Feb. 23, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Peer fianna/z/ AT ORNEY May 4, 1943.

P. HANNAH BAG GLAMPING DEVICE Filed Feb. '23. 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fleaerflazzna/i May 4, 1943. P. HANNAH BAG CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Feb. 23; 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 1943- P. HANNAH 2,318,156

BAG CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Feb. 23, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 J 28 f v INVENTQR flan/2022 NEY y 1943- P. HANNAH BAG CLAMPING DEVICE Filegl Feb. 23, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR BY AT RNEY Patented May 4, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to automatic weighing and dispensing machinery and it particularly relates to a bag or flexible container filling machine.

Although the present invention has broad application to all types of machines where it is desired to dispense, segregate or weigh out predetermined portions of pulverized, powdered or granulated materials or of grain or particle materials, such as wheat, oats and corn, it will be particularly described in connection with itsapplication to weighing machinery designed. to weigh out large quantities of powdered or finely divided materials, such as fertilizers, in paper, cloth or other bags.

In machinery of this character, it is often desirable to provide some means of firmly and satisfactorily grasping the top of the bag-like container, whether it be of cloth or paper, so thatthe material being dispensed, segregated. or weighed, may be readily fed into said bag-like container, without collapse of the container and with assurance that the container will not be deformed or misshapen and may be readily passed through a sewing machine after filling.

Ordinarily the bags when of paper or burlap are usually flattened in one direction so that they will be readily engaged and operated upon by said sewing machine after the bag has been filled.

However, where a cable is utilized to grab the top l of the bag during the filling thereof, this cable will often crush or crumple the pleats and wrinkle the top of the bag so that it is not most readily possible to pass the bag through a sewing machine without uneven sewing or stitching at I the upper portion of the bag.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide an improved bag holding mechanism which may be readily employed in weighing, dispensing or segregating machines of the character above described, according to which the bag will be firmly grasped during the filling operation and at the same time will not be deformed, wrinkled nor will its pleats be changed, with the result that the bag, after filling with the segregated 0r predetermined charge, may be readily passed through a sewing machine to give an even and satisfactory closure.

It is among the further objects of the present invention to provide an improved bag holding mechanism of the character described which readily adjusts itself to various sizes of bags and which would readily accommodate itself to the slack in various shapes and sizes of bags for different weights of materials without the necessity of utilizing a cable and without the necessity of utilizing a different sized or shaped bag holder for each different size or shape of bag.

In machines of the type which are designed to weigh out large quantities of materials, varying from 50 to 150 lbs. more or less, it is often desired to strike a trial balance during the course of the weighing or segregating operation, say for every fifth or tenth bag and according to machines now in use, it is necessary to drag these heavy bags after they have been filled by the automatic weighing machine to a floor scale to test the weight and to determine whether the weighing machine is in correct adjustment. This not only slows up the operation, but in addition puts a heavy manual burden upon the operator of the machine.

Further objects will be obvious or will appear during the course of the following specification.

In accomplishing the above objects in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention, the weighing pan is preferably provided with a spout around which are positioned two movable clamping jaws which are manually and automatically adjustable, said jaws taking the form of segments and in the preferred form being grooved and cooperating with ridged members on the spout of the dispensing device. These clamping jaws are pivotally mounted upon swinging arms, which arms are in turn pivotally mounted at the rear of the spout. A coil spring is provided to draw the arms and the pivotally mounted jaws apart. The jaw members carried on the arms may be moved together to clamp a bag upon said spout by a lever, which may be actuated to initiate operation of the weighing or other dis pensing or segregating machines.

The arms are preferably provided with extensions and operating means extending forwardly of the spout and which are designed to be pressed together to hold any slack in the bag and prevent it from dropping during the filling of the bag.

The jaws are preferably so positioned in cooperation with the slack holding elements that the pleats of the bag are not destroyed while the bag is being held in position and so that the bag may be readily passed through a sewing machine after it has been filled and the proper quantity has been Weighed out.

In normal operation, the material to be weighed will be fed through a downwardly converging hopper and through the spout into the clamped bag. At the bottom of the hopper are two closure gates. As the bag has almost received the correct weight the lowering of the forward ends of the scale beams carrying the clamped bag will result in first closing the main gate, decreasing the stream of material flowing into the bag, and then, when the correct weight has been received, in closing a secondary gate, cutting off the stream of material, due allowance, of course, being made for the column in air.

As soon as this correct weight has been fed into the bag or other container the filled bag may be released locking the scale beam and a new bag may be placed in position on the spout.

When it is desired to check the amount of material in the bag and determine whether the scale is properly functioning to weigh out the predetermined quantity of material, an arrangement is provided in one preferred embodiment of the present invention to disconnect the gates from the scale beam and permit the scale to balance with the bag in position. In the preferred construction, this is accomplished by having a series of unlatching devices, at least one at each side of the scale, which when actuated will permit the scale to swing freely, determining the balance and giving assurance to the operator that the machine is properly functioning to weigh out the desired quantities of material.

It is also usually desirable to provide an indicator to enable exact determination of the balance of the scale, which indicator may consist of a ruler or scale positioned on the machine frame and'a pointer fixed to the swinging element.

In the drawings, to which reference is had for the showing of one preferred embodiment of the invention, but to which the invention is by no Fig. 2 is a side view upon the line 22 of 1,

showing the holding jaws whenclamped to hold a bag in position and also showing the right hand balancing latchin solid lines and the left hand balancing latch in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a side view similar to Fig. 2 with hopper gates closed, i lustrating the position of said jaws after said bag is discharged and when a new bag is to be placed upon the discharge spout.

Fig. 4' is a fragmentary side sectional view upon a somewhat enlarged scale upon' the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing the right band balancing latch construction when in normal operating position. Fig. 5' 'is' a fragmentary side sectional view similar to Fig. 4, showing the right hand balancing latch construction when it has been actuated to permit of testing the balance of the scale.

- Fig; 6 is a fragmentary side sectional view upon the line 6-'-6 of Fig. l, and upon a somewhat enlarged scale showing the latchingarrangement for the bag holding jaws. I Fig. '7 is a side perspective view of the bag holding jaw latching arrangement of Fig. 6 from the other side, Figs. 6 and '7 showing the position of'the arrangement when the jaws are clamped to grasp the bag upon the spout.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side view in partial Fig. 9 is a front View upon the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view upon the line Ifll0 of Fig. 1, showing the jaws in closed position in solid lines and in open position in dot and dash lines.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view upon the line II -II of Fig. 10 showing the engaging structure of the gripping jaws and the holding members upon the side of the spout.

Fig. 12 is a front view of the slack holding elements upon the line l2|2 of Fig. 10, upon a somewhat enlarged scale.

Figs. 13 and 14 show an alternative construction at the rear of the spout, Fig. 13 being a fragmentary top view and Fig. 14 being a transverse sectional view upon the line l4-l4 of Fig. 13.

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate an alternative clamping jaw construction, Fig. 15 being a top view in fragmentary section and Fig. 16 being a side view, and

Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional view of an alternative connecting link construction for said clamping arms.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 and 8, the arrange,- ment is provided with a frame A, with the balancing arms M and N, with the weight carrier structure C, with the feeding hopper D, with the spout E, with the bag holding structure F, with the slack holder G, with the right hand balance latching construction H and with the left hand balance latching construction I, and with the jaw latching construction J.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the frame Ais provided with longitudinal frame elements 20 and 2|, respectively, at the right and left hand sides thereof, which elements are supported by the vertical tube elements or columns 22 and 23.

The elements 20 and 2! carry the frame 24 and 25, which form part of the transverse structure 26 to which the hopper D is attached. The anvils a, only the left one being shown (Figs. 1 and 9) limit the travel of the beam below the poised position.

The hopper D as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 8 has the vertical front wall 21, the inclined rear 28 and the inclined side walls 29, the entire hopper being section upon the line 88 of Fig. 1, showing the left hand balancing latch construction.

designed to be connected to a supply of material (for example, fertilizer) which is fed through and passes therefrom into the spout structure E.

Although one closing gate might be employed, the present invention will be illustratively de-. scribed in connection with a double gate construction. Pivotally connected to the bottom of the hopper D are the two closing gates or valves K and L, the closing gate K being arranged first to close and principally cut off the feed when the desired quantity has substantially been weighed out or segregated andthe closing gate L being designed to cut off the dribble feed resulting thereafter when finally the exact weight has been arrived at.

As shown in Fig. 1 the closing gate consists of an elongated structure 30 having a'lip 3|, carrying ear 32 which is provided with an adjusting screw 33. The upward movement of the gate K is also stopped by the rubber plug 34 which fits into the holder 35, said, holder being attached by a bracket 66 and the bolts 31 to the front plate 2'! of thehopper D.

The sides of the gate K are provided with the arms 38 which are pivotally mounted at 39 upon the sides of the hopper element D. The sides of the arms are turned upwardly to form lips 40, as

is indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. When the gate K is closed it will closely fit against the front open bottom portion 4'I oflthe hopper D.

The dribble gate L is provided with the faces 13" and 14 which respectively are designed to close against the. back 15 and the. lower edge I6 01'. the hopper D (see particularly Figs. 2 and 3).

v The dribble gate L at its forward end I1 encloses the: rear end 18- of. the main gate K, when the gates are: closed as indicated at Figs. 3 and 8. 10.

The. side arms. I9 of the dribble gate. L are pivotally mounted at 80 upon the side walls 29 of the hopper D. The balancing structure includes the right and"; left hand beam arms and N (see Figs. 2, 31 and '8) which arms are connected by a cross-rod 55.

Each: arm is provided with a knife edge 56, whi'chf fits in a. groove 51 in the support element 50- setin. upwardly extending; boss 50a. attached to the. frame 24 and 25.

The rear ends 59 of the balancing arms are. provided with the knife edges 60, upon which fit? the heads GI of the swinging structure said}; structure C having the-side members 62 and the cross bar 63, which supports the slotted weights 64 as best indicated inrFig. 2. The front d0wn.- v wardly' extending portions: 65 and 66' of the arms: M and N respectively ,(see Figs. 2, 3 and 8 are" provided. with the knife edges 61 and 68,. upon which knife edges are suspended the heads 69 of so the arms I0 and II, as best shown in Fig. l- The arms and II extend. inwardly at I2 toward the downwardly converging spout structure E.

It is thus seen that the spout structure E together with the jaw clamping members F and G 35.

are suspended from the front side of the balanc ing arms M. and N while the weight structure C is suspended from the rear end of the arms M and N.

The spout structure E includes. the converging column member 95 (see Fig. 10) provided with a" flat front face plate 96, to which are attached the bearing brackets 91 having. bolted connections at 98 to said fiat front plate 96. In the brackets 91 bear the vertical shaft elements 99, to the upper 45.

ends of which are connected beveled gears I 00. and to the lower ends of which are connected the arms IN. The arms IIII, at their forward ends are connected to the threaded bolts I02. which are threaded into the hexagonal adjustment 50.

sleeves I04. The take-up or adjustment sleeves I 04 in turn are connected to the threaded bolts I03. The lock nuts I05 enable said sleeves to be fixed in any desired adjusted position.

The ends of the threaded bolt elements I02 and 55.

into upwardly projecting posts on the front ends 50 H2 of the arms IIII and the screws I-I'I into the. cylindrical projection N3 of the semi-circular arm elements II4 of the bag gripping structure F.

The circular arms II4, as shown in Fig 10, carry the clamping jaws H5 and the arms are provided with rear upwardly curved extensions I I6, pivotally mounted at the rear upon the pivot III, which in turn is mounted upon the bracket H8. Thebracket H6, as shown in 2, is connected by the arm H9 to the flange I20 which is 70 bolted at I2I to the spout element E.

The arms H4, with their jaws II5 are normaliy held away from each other, in the position as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 10, by the spring I22, the ends of. which connect to the pins- 78' I23 upon the lugs I24, extending outwardly from the rear extensions I I6 of the semi-circular arms H4. The rear portion of the spring is received in the recess I25 in the rear of the bracket II8. When the arms H4, and the jaws II5 carried thereby, are moved toward the spout E the spring I22 is tensioned in being. moved from the dot and dash position to the solid line position, as shown in Fig. 10, thus biasing the arms II4 so that they wil1 tend to separate from said spout element E.

As indicated best in Fig. 11, the jaw elements II5 are provided. with V-shaped grooves I26 at their inside edges: and with U-shaped slots I21 at their rear sides. which slots receive the curved arms II4.. The middle portion. of the jaw element is provided with the circular extension I28 (see Figs. 10 and 11): which receives the pivot pin I29 extending through said extension I28 and saidv arm H4. The split pin elements I30 indicated upon Fig. 11 hold the pin I29 in position.

The upper and lower sides of the slots I21 are normally spaced away from the upper and lower sides of the arm H4 and the inner edge I3'I (see Fig. 10) only projects slightly into said slot IZ'I, being substantially spaced from the bottom of said slot as indicated at I32 in Fig. 10. As a result, the jaws H5 may swing upon their pivots I29 relatively to the arms I and adjust themselves when they areclamped home in the solid line position, as indicated in Fig, 1-0. The pads I33 which may be cast integrally with the arms H4 preferably contact with the upper and lower faces of the grooves I21 to prevent canting of the pivoted jaw members H5.

The V-shaped grooves I26 on the inside faces of the jaw I I5 cooperate with the V-shaped projections I34 on the rings I35, the inner ends of which rings are shaped to fit into the V-shaped grooves I36 on the lower portion I3'I of the spout element E (see Fig. 11).

When the jaws II5 arev clamped against the rails or rings I35, the bag indicated at I38 in Fig. 1.0 will be closely clamped in the space between the elements I26 and I34 of Fig. 11 and will be held over the length of the jaws II5, the jaws II5 automatically adjusting themselves to the thickness of the upper part of the bag on the rails or rings I35.

The forward portion or excess portion I39 of the bag (see Figs. 10 and 12) will then be gripped between the V-shaped projection I40 and the V-shaped groove I4I formed upon the front portions H2 of the arms IOI, said V-shaped projections and grooves being formed on each arm I'M, so that the arms will be all of the same shape and will be interchangeable.

- The shafts 99, which actuate the arms IOI and the jaws H5 through the levers II4, are in turn operated from the shaft I 42 (see Fig. 1), which carries the beveled gears I43 meshing with the beveled gears I00 fixed to the upper end of said shafts 99.

The shaft I42 bears in the ears I44 which are formed on the front 96 of the spout E. At its right hand end, as shown in Fig. 1, it passes through the bored hub I45 (see also Fig. 6) of the lever I46. The lever I46, as shown in Fig. 6. is keyed to the shaft I42 and is provided with a slot I47 through which projects the bolt I48 having the loclr nut I49, The bolt I48 is connected to the lever I and the two levers I46 and !56 may be locked or clamped in adjusted position by said nut I49 and bolt I48. The position of said lever I50 may be adjusted by the .s'crew I52, which extends from the flange I53 and is fixed in position by' the lock nut I54.

The'lever I50 is also carried on the shaft I42 and moves rigidly therewith in view of its connection to the quadrant I46. The end of the lever I50 carries the roller I55, which'rol1er in the position shown in Fig. 7 fits in the recess I56 in the depending arm I51 of the lever I58, the

lower'end of said lever, being beveled or inclined,

as indicated at I59 to permit of ready movement of the roller I55 into the position as shown in Fig. 7.

The upper end of the lever, as shown in Fig. 7, is provided with the clevis I60 which is pivotally mounted upon the outward projection II by the pivot pin I62. The lever I50 is also provided with an integral wedge-shape element I63 car-' ried by the collar I 64 on the shaft I42. The rear side of the wedge I63 is stoppedby the projection I65 on the clevis I66 of the handle member-161. It will be noted that said clevis has the eyes I68, bearing upon the shaft I42 and that one of said clevises has a hooked projection I69 to cooperate with the pin I on the depending arm l1I of the lever I58.

' The outer part of the lever l61 is turned as indicated at I12 (see Fig. 1) and it ends in a ball" I13, which affords a convenient means of gripping the lever. The endof the shaft I42 is threaded as indicated at I14 and receives a nut I15, againstwhich reacts the coil spring I16, the other end of said coil spring reacting against the face I11 of the clevis I66. The clevis I66 is also provided with an extension I 18 (see Fig. '1) which carries a roller I19, held in position by the bolt element I86 The roller I19, which moves with'the spout structure E, is designed to cooperate with the foot element I8I (see Fig. 2) which is bolted at I82 to the frame 20. The coil spring I83 (see Figs. 2 and 3) is connected at one end to the pin 484 on the lever I51 and at its other end, it is connected to an eye I 85 (see Figs. 2 and 3) which connects with the threaded element I86 adjustably held by the wing nuts I81 in the ear I80 attached to the hopper element E.

The clevis I66 encloses the eye I89 (see Fig. 1) which in turn is positioned at the lower end of the arm I90, extending downwardly from the side elements 12 suspending the structure E. The structure E is also provided with the side arms I9I, which connect with the arms I92 and I 93 (see Figs. 1 and 2.). The lower ends of the arms I92 and I93 carry the eyes I94, which receive-the bolts I95. To said bolts I95 are connected the forward ends of the links I96. The links I93 at their rear ends are pivotally mounted by the bolts I91 on the lower ends of the downwardly extending frame members I98, the upper ends of which are connected to the beams 29 and 2!, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 3.-

In the operation of the structure, so far de- 4 gether with the depending arms K and the beam members M and N will be locked against oscilrespect to the bartsl, releasing the structure' E and the scale beams M and N, and permit-' ting them to swing freely. At the same time the extension I65 (see Fig. 7) will contact'the sector I63 and will cause the lever I50 to be elevated from the position. of Fig. 3 to the position of Fig. 2. "During this movement: the roller I will move across the beveled edge I59 of the lever I58 and'then will lock in the recess I56 on the inside face of the curved lever I58 -(see Figsfiand '1).

The shaft I42, being fixed in respect te the' elements I50 and I63, will turn the beveled gears I43. These beveled gears I43 in turn will cause rotation of the beveled gears I00 and actuate the shafts 99 to move the arms IOI from the dot and dash position of position.

During this operation, the spring I22 will be extended from the dot and dash to the solid line position (see Fig. 10), the" jaws II5.will be clamped against the ring I35 and finally the forward ends of the levers IOI will come together with the excess I39 being gripped between the projection I40 and the recess I4I; as also shown] I in Fig. 12.

If.the bag'is'pointed'at its ends so as to be readilyrun through a sewing machine, the rear end should be at the position I38 indicated in Fig. 10 and the forward end should be at the position I39 with the result that the bag will not be crumpled or ruflled after the weighing operation.

The length of the arms IOI is such in respect to the arms II4-I I6 that the jaws II5 will first be clamped firmly against the ring elements I35 before the forward ends of the arms I M are' forced into the position as indicated in Fi g. 12. When the bag has been clamped in position,

' the structure E, suspendedon the arm 12 will be free to move upwardly, the weights 64 overcoming the weight of the structures E and 12. The beams M, N and the' spout E will move into the position as shown in Fig. 2. At the same time the gates K and L will be open, permitting the material to flow from the hopper D into the interior of the structure E and thence into the bag.

In a manner to be described the gate K will first close as the structure E descends, permitting only. a dribble feed, which will continue the arm I61 may be moved from the position of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 3 to open the arms II and the jaws H5 and release the bag. This bag may then be fed into an adjacent sewing machine, since its top will be substantially flat and elongated.

The adjustment I04 on the threaded links I02 and I03 functions to regulate the tension of the jaws'F on the top of the bag so that it will be sufficient to hold the bag in place without slipping. The adjustment I 94 permits variation in the position of the jaws H5 and "I40, I4I. During the weighing operation the link I96 by reason of their pivotal connection to. the. ele-.

Fig. 10 to the solidline' ments I93 and 138, will prevent the structure E from swinging backwardly and forwardly.

The gates or closure members K and L are actuated by the scale beams M and N. When the spout E descends they will be permitted to close under their own weight, the gate K closing first and when the spout E ascends, they will be opened by levers actuated by the forward ends of the scale beams M and N:

The dribble gate L is provided with an upstanding arm 8| connected to one of the said flanges 19 (see Figs. 2 to 4). The arm 8|, as best shown in Fig. 4, is provided with a latch structure 82 pivotally mounted on the arm by the bolt 2I0, the lower end of which latch cooperates with a roller 83 carried by the bar 84. The bar 84 is connected by the bolts 54 to the forward end of the scale beam M.

In the construction of Fig. 4, when the scale beam M moves upwardly at its forward end, as when an unfilled bag is attached to the device F, the roller will strike the latch 82 and move the arm 81 from the position as shown in Fig. 3 to the position as shown in Fig. 2, opening the gate L. It is only when the forward end of the scale beam M has descended to its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 3, that the gate L will be permitted to close, cutting or": the dribble feed from the hopper D.

The gate K is controlled on the other side of the scale, as best indicated in Figs. 1, 8 and 9. The side flange 38 of the gate K is provided with an upstanding arm 40a which has a cylindrical extension 4Ia at its upper portion slotted at 42 (see particularly Fig. 8). In the slot there is pivotally mounted the latch element 43 by the bolt 45. The latch 43 has a handle 44 and a downwardly extending leg 46 with a foot 41. The foot 41 is arranged to contact with the cooperating foot 49 mounted at 48 upon the scale beam N (see particularly Fig. 9)

The weight 50 is attached to the plate 52 by screw element received in the slot 50a. The weight 50 tends to counterbalance the gate K and tends to hold said gate slightly open. The weight 50, together with the plate '52 is connected by the arm 53 to the gate extensions 38 and 40a. The weight 50 exerts a downward pressure on the scale beam and its load, to depress it to dribble position earlier than the load flowing in would normally depress it, so that when it arrives at dribble position, there is yet some material required to complete the load in the sack. The further to the right the weight 50 is moved (Fig. 8), the earlier the beams arrive at dribble position and the longer the dribble stream runs. This slows the cycle. Reversing the procedure, moving weight 50 to the left, speeds up the weighing time by causing the feed to remain longer on the main or preliminary stream.

As the forward end of the scale beam N elevates it will open the gate K, the said opening of the gate K taking place after the opening of the gate L in the manner previously described. At the same time when the forward ends of the scale beams M and N are lowered, the gate K will close before the gate L.

When the forward ends of the beams M and N move to their lowermost position, the bag or receptacle will have received substantially its complete weight and the gates K and L will cut off further feed of material. At this time the column in air will complete the weight of material to be placed in the bag.

Thus it is apparent that scale beams M and 7 ations 245,

N are at all times arranged to actuate the gates K and L to open them when the front ends of the scale beams move upwardly and it would not be desirable to have the forward ends of the beams swing freely with a filled bag. It is desirable, however, in case a trial balance is to be made, to provide an arrangement to disengage said scale beams M and N from said gates K and L, whereby the filled bag may be permitted to swing freely in balance with the weights 64.

When it is desired to test the balancing condition of the scale without removing the bag from the structure E, it is possible to utilize the latching structure If, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and the latching structure I, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, which will disconnect the beams M and N from the gates K and L, permitting the structure E, with the attached ba containing the predetermined amount of material to swing freely in balance with the weights 64.

Referring first to the latching structure H, the element 82 fits in the groove 2H and its inside face normally lies fiat against the outside face of the arm 2|2, below said groove as indicated at 243. The pin 2H! carried by the element 82 fits in a recess 2! 5. The lower end of said latch 82 is flattened as indicated at 2l5a to form a contact face for said roller 83.

The upper end of said depending member 82 is provided with an extension 2l6, which is provided with a beveled lower edge 2 l 1, under which, in balancing position as indicated in Fig. 3, extends the finger 2i8, connected by bolts 220 at its lower end to the beam 22!, which beam 22| is in turn connected to the beam 222 by the offset portion 223 (see Fig. 4). The beam 222 is pivotally mounted at 224 on the standard 225, connected by bolts 226 on the longitudinal frame member 20. The rear end of the element 222 is provided with a downwardly turned portion 225a, which contacts with the frame member 20 to limit movement thereof.

The forward end of the beam 221 is pivotally connected at 221 to a clevis 228 (see Fig. 4) which at its lower end, carries a clevis 229 (see Fig. 2) fitting over the pin 230 when the beam M and latch H are in normal operating position as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

It will be noted that the pin 230 is provided with an upper knife edge and is connected to the forward end of the beam M. The beam 222 is provided with a weight 23I which may be variably located by the screw 232 at varying positions on the beam 222 to compensate the amount of material being weighed out which is included in the falling column in air. The beam 222 i provided with a forward extension 233 carrying the round element 234, which serves as a hand grip.

It will be noted in referring to Figs. 8 and 9 that the scale beam N is provided with a bar element 235 which is connected at 236 to an extension 23! on the beam N and carries an adjustable weight 238, which may be fixed in position by the lock screw 239. The weight 238 (Figs. 8 and 9) and the bar element 235 are used to correct for changes in the weight or balance of the structures E, F and G.

Upon the front portion of the longitudinal frame member 20 is connected a plate 240 (see Fig. 1) by the bolts 24l, said plate having an upstanding arm 242 with an inside pointer 244 cooperating with the graduations 245 on the front of the hanger H! by means of which it is possible to gauge whether the scale is in balance, graduif desired, being graduated to indicate when the scale is in balance, whether it is balanced too light or too heavy.

When thegbag held on the structure E and gripped between the jaws H and the forward ends of the arms IOI, has received its predetermined weight and it is desired to'check the balance, by grasping and elevating the elements 234 and 44 respectively at the right and left hand sides of the weighing machine structure as indicated in Fig. 1, it is possible to unlatch the structure H as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and I as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, thus releasing gates K and L, from the beam structure M and N. Elevating the hand grip 234 through the finger ZIB will elevate and move the swinging element 32, outwardly as shown in Fig. 5, thus disengaging the roller 83 from the surface 2I6a. At the same time, by moving the hand gripped portion 44 upwardly as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the foot 41 will be moved outwardly out of the path of the foot 40. At this point, it is possible for the structure E to move upwardly and downwardly and balance against the structure C with the gates K and L remaining closed as indicated in Figs. 3 and 8.

Atthe same time, the pointer 244 will assume the desired position in respect to the graduations 245, indicating whether the balance is correct or is too heavy or too light, in which case correction may be made by the moving adjustable weight 23I (see Fig. 3). I

When the balance has then been checked, the release of the handle 44 will permit the arm 46 and the foot 47 to fall back into normal position as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

However, the lower end of the swinging latch 82 normally rides quite closely to the roller 83 throughout the movement of the scale beam M, and in the balancing position the roller 83 will move to a higher position than the bottom surface 2I6a of the latch 82, as indicated in Fig. 5.

In this case, when the latch 82 is permitted to drop, it is necessary that its lower face 2I6a be located above the roller 83, as shown in Fig. 4 and this is accomplished by depression of the forward end of the scale beam M by the clevis 229 bearing downwardly on the pin 230.

In Figs. 13 and 14 is shown an alternative construction, correspondingly functioning parts as in Figs. 1 to 12 being indicated by the same numerals primed. In the construction of Figs. 13 and 14,- is shown an expander element 400 which is designed to receive the rear of the bag and hold same extended when the upper forward edges of the bag are gripped by the clamping structure F. This structure 400 is connected to the bracket I99 by the flange MI and the rivets 402, and if desired, the connections 402 may be detachable to permit removal of the element 400 at any time.

The element 400 takes up extra slack in the bag and also relieves the arms IOI from taking up excessive amounts of slack where large bags are utilized. By utilizing elements such as 400, it is possible to accommodate the spout E and the clamping structure F to a wide variety of different sizes and shapes of bags.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 16, similarly functioning parts being indicated again by the same numerals as in Figs. 1 to 12, which numerals are rimed, the jaws 5' are supported as previously described upon arms II4 except that the pivot pin I29 fits in a slot 403 in the arm H4 and the slots I21 are enlarged as indicated at 404 to receive the enlarged portions 405 of the arms which'receive the coil springs 400; said coil springs being adjusted by means; of the screws 401. Thi resilient construction 406 enables better adjustment of the pivotally mounted jaws H5 in respect to the rails I35 andthe springs 400will take up any variation in clamping between the jaws H5 and the rails I 35'.

In the construction shown in Fig; 17-, 'toreplace links as shown in Fig; 10, similarly functioning parts being indicated by the same numerals and letters primed, the sleeve I04 receives the spring 4H} which reacts againstthe nut 4 on the bolt M2. The shank I02" is unthreaded and extends into said sleeve I04. The other element I03 may be of the same construc: tion and manner of operation as the element I03 already described, shown in connection with Fig.

It is thus apparent that the present applicant not only has provided a convenient arrangement; for holding the bag without crumpling of the upper end thereof, and with assurance that .the slack of the bag will be firmly gripped, but in addition has provided a simple latching arrangement by means of Which a trial balance maybe had when the bag has received its predetermined charge. Both the bag holding structure F and G and the latching structure H and I may be conveniently assembled or placed upon machines already sold or in usage, without substantial reconstruction or expense.

The invention, however, is not intended to be restricted to any particular construction or arrangement of parts, or to any particular appli cation of any such construction, or to any spee cific method of operation, or manner of use, or to any of various details thereof, herein shown and described, as the same may be modified in various particulars or be applied in many varied relations without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, the practical embodiments herein illustrated and described merely showing some of the various features entering into the application of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material, means to clamp said bag on said spout comprising two fixed arcuate clamping jaws on the sides of the spout, two movable arcuate clamping jaws to be moved sidewardly toward or away from saidfixed jaws, a pair of arms carrying said jaws, a pivotal mount for said arms at the rear of the spout and an actuating ar rangement having a supplemental pair of jaws to take up any slack in said bag at the front of said spout, said movable jawsbeing pivotally mounted on said arms. i

2. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material; means to clamp said-bag on said spout comprising two fixed arcuate clamping jaws on the sides of the spout, two movable 'arcuate clamping jaws to be moved toward or away from said fixed jaws, a-pair of primary arms carrying-said jaws; pivotal :and resilient connections between said arms and's'aid jaws, a pivotal mount'for said primary arms at the rear of the shout and an actuating arrange)- ment at the front of said spout, said actuating arrangement including adjustable rods pivotally connected to; the front ends Of said arms and secondary arms rotatably mounted at one side on said spout and at the other side being 'con-, nected to the ends of the adjustable rods.

3. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material, means to clamp said bag on said spout comprising two fixed arcuate clamping jaws on the sides of the spout, two movable arcuate clamping jaws to be moved toward or away from said fixed jaws, a pair of arms carrying said jaws, a pivotal mount for said arms at the rear of the spout and an actuating arrangement at the front of said spout, said movable jaws being provided with slots on both faces to receive said arms and fixed jaws.

4. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material, means to clamp said bag on said spout comprising means to clamp the body of the bag and means to clamp any slack in said bag, each of said two last-mentioned means comprising pairs of levers pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said spout.

5. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material, means to clamp said bag on said spout comprising a pair of primary movable jaws to clamp the upper end of the bag to the bottom of the spout and a pair of secondary jaws to take up any slack in the bag and actuating means to close said primary jaws before closing said secondary jaws.

6. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material, means to clamp said bag on said spout comprising means to clamp the body of the bag and means to clamp any slack in said bag, each of said two last-mentioned means com rising pairs of levers pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said spout, and linkages connecting the forward ends of said pairs of levers, whereby they are caused to move together and apart in unison.

7. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material, means to clamp said bag on said spout comprising two fixed arcuate clamping jaws on the sides of the spout, two movable arcuate clamping jaws to be moved toward or away from said fixed jaws, a pair of arms carrying said jaws, a common pivotal mount for said arms at the rear of the spout, biasing means to move said arms apart located at the rear of the spout and an actuating arrangement at the front of said spout, said actuating arrangement including linkages connected to the front ends of said arms, levers connected to the ends of said linkages, and means for operating said levers to move said clamping jaws toward and away from said fixed jaws.

8. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material, means to clamp said bag on said spout comprising two fixed arcuate clamping jaws on the sides of the spout, two movable arcuate clamping jaws to be moved toward or away from said fixed jaws, a pair of arms carrying said jaws, a pivotal mount for said arms at the rear of the spout and an actuating arrangement at the front of said spout, said movable jaws being centrally pivotally mounted on said arms and said movable jaws being provided with recesses in which said arms are received and being further provided with guiding pads adjacent said ends to permit them to swing with alignment on said central pivotal mounts.

9. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material, means to clamp said bag on said spout comprisin means to clamp the body of the bag, means to clamp any slack in said bag, each of said two last-mentioned means having clamping jaws and means to operate both said clamping means together and apart in unison.

10. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material, means to clamp said bag on said spout comprising means to clamp the body of the bag, means to clamp any slack in said bag, each of said two last-mentioned means having clamping jaws and means to operate both said clamping means together and apart in unison, said clamping means being connected to operate together by adjustable link means whereby said operating means will cause said first mentioned clamping means to clamp the bag upon the spout and then said second mentioned clamping means to clamp any slack in said bag.

11. In a machine of the type having a spout designed to hold a bag to receive a predetermined charge of material, means to clamp said bag on said spout comprising means to clamp the body of the bag, means to clamp any slack in said bag, each of said two last-mentioned means having clamping jaws and means to operate both said clamping means together and apart in unison, and biasing means to bias said clamping means to open position.

PETER HANNAH. 

